Their feet might be small, but the members of Whittier School’s Green Team are very concerned about their footprints.

At a September meeting of the environmental club, 50 children learned about their ecological footprints and discussed ways to make a smaller impact on the Earth. The discussion and other programs at several schools in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 was to heighten student awareness on environmental issues. The hope is they will spread awareness not only to their peers but to their parents, said Cindy Ayers-Cannon, co-chairwoman of Whittier’s environmental committee.

“We have one earth for our life and all the life beyond us,” Ayers-Cannon said. “They’re the future that are going to make the earth better.”

Many of the schools have been recycling for years. El Sierra School fifth- and sixth- graders in the Earth Savers Club are a big part of the program.

“They give up their recess once a week to help with the recycling in the school,” said first-grade teacher and club sponsor Tracy Wierda. “They go around to the classrooms and offices and take the boxes to the recycling bins.”

Hillcrest School Principal Paula Thomas said children dispose of unfinished fruit including skins and cores in a bucket in each room for composting. The Planet Protectors Club has monthly guest speakers, and students are also encouraged to bring food in reusable containers for waste-free lunch days.

Ayers-Cannon said Whittier’s club has more than doubled in participation in the last few years. This year, the group is putting an emphasis on involving older students with more field trip-based activities including an upcoming project to trace around storm sewers and hand out door hangers with warnings against dumping things in the street.

“The little kids, they’re totally excited,” Ayers-Cannon said. “It’s just so nice to see all these faces wanting to make the world healthier. We’re teaching them how they can make a difference in their own yard that will make a difference for the whole earth.”